Targeting Cong workers concerns CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Chief Minister O Ibobi, who also holds the Home portfolio has strongly condemned armed activists continuously targeting innocent Congress workers and predicted that such heinous acts will backfire as tolerance capability of the masses are certain to snap.

Reflecting on the recent spate of unidentified gunmen causing bullet injuries to some workers and blasting bombs at specific targets in parts of the state while commenting on Supplementary Demand for Grant 2008-09 discussion on the second day of the 9th Assembly's Fifth Session today, the CM opined that armed miscreants targeting Congress workers would never succeed in the agenda of the assailants as intimidating the masses would inevitably embolden the people to unite and take on the anti-social elements.

expressing that singling out advocates of democratic principle such as the Congress workers and targeting them tantamount to challenging basics governing rule of law upheld by the masses, he reminded all concerned that there would be no acceptance when attempts are made to force the electorates vote at gun-point.

Categorically disagreeing with the gunmen's intention of creating fear factor among the masses through use of fire-power which he described as a futile attempt, the CM also said the State Govt has initiated all possible measures firmly to tackle such anti-social elements.

O Ibobi, also in-charge of Finance, further conveyed to the legislators of the SPF Govt having spent about 60 percent of the Plan Allocation till the current financial year and affirmed that more supplementary demands for the remaining amount of the earmarked plan expenditure would be presented in the Assembly.

He added that chunk of the remaining amount is meant for non-plan expenditures.

Assuring the House of the Gov's commitment to utilise allocation of the plan expenditure within the current fiscal, the CM conceded that inability for proper and timely utilisation of budgetary allocation for a specific period or failure in submitting mandatory utilisation certificates is not justifiable and rather demeans essence of governance.

Supplementing his assertion, the CM referred to Manipur AIDS Control Society's inability to produce utilisation certificate for an amount of Rs 10 crores as a consequence of which budgetary allocation of MACS had been trimmed to only Rs 13 crores for the current fiscal contrary to the estimation for Rs 26 crores.

The CM further disclosed of the Chief Secretary being intimated to initiate appropriate punitive action against all MACS officials involved in the unaccountable expenditure.

Inclusive of Central sponsored schemes the govt of india is keen to provide requisite amount for the implementation of various developmental projects in the State with the only Central Govt rider being timely submission of utilisation certificates, Ibobi clarified and hastened to add that to ensure the Central allocation for State Plan does not lapse the un-utilised provision is being deposited in the State's Account 8449. Accepting charges of the Opposition members regarding the power situation in Manipur being the worst imaginable, he explained that out of the total requirement of 166 megawatt the State at present gets only about 60 megawatt and cited (weak) transmission line of 200 megawatt as the other crippling factor in the State not able to enjoy the entitled power supply from the north East power Corporation (NEPCO).

With supply from NEPCO not reaped by manipur the same is being traded to other States, disclosed the CM who also said plans are afoot to string power transmission line of 400 mega-watt capacity.

He further informed that due to cost factor of generating power from the Leimakhong heavy Fuel Plant which is about Rs 10 for every unit the power plant is being reserved for emergency use only.

Joining the deliberation for the House's consent to the proposed outlay of Rs 705.95 crore during discussion on the Supplementary demand for Grant in the current fiscal, MPP's O Joy was sceptical that such an amount could be utilised by the Govt in the remaining period of only 13 days.

He also commented that with improving financial condition of the Govt inspite of unfavourable law and order situation there is strong need for execution of basic governmental obligation.

Joy also suggested that contractors are not left in lurch owing to pending bills; Ministers conform to regulations rather than prioritise needs of close acquaintances; ensure hygienic drinking water to the people; besides highlighting that people in rural areas are finding it difficult to charge mobile phones due to power supply inadequacies.

Echoing the CM's concern with regard to targeting political workers/activists, the seasoned politician called upon the perpetrators to abstain from such demonic act.

He also described as blemish on the image of the police department when some recalcitrant commando personnel slay innocent persons in fake encounters.

Joy's party colleagues, Dr I Ibohalbi and RK Anand ridiculed the SPF Govt's claims of a vastly improved financial condition by highlighting inadequacies in health care centres.

They urged the CM to reign in rogue security personnel to win confidence of the people.

The House later unanimously approved a total of 40 demands tabled under the Supplementary Demand for Grant which amounted to Rs 705.95 crores.